What part of a horse is the fetlock?
Fetlock is a term used for the joint where the cannon bone, the proximal sesamoid bones, and the first phalanx (long pastern bone) meet. The pastern is the area between the hoof and the fetlock joint.
Where is the fetlock on a horse’s leg?
The fetlock is a joint between the cannon bone and the pastern on the back of a horse’s leg, above the hoof.
Can a fetlock be fixed on a horse?
These simple fractures can often be repaired very successfully using screws to compress the fracture line and restore congruency to the joint. More serious fractures that have multiple fragments carry a very poor prognosis.
How do you treat a fetlock injury?
Initial treatment is rest, followed by controlled exercise. The vet may inject drugs directly into the joint. However, DJD is incurable. A septic joint will result in a greater level of lameness.
Is a fetlock the ankle?
While sometimes the fetlock is colloquially referred to as an “ankle”, even by horse experts, that terminology is not correct. The fetlock is a metacarpophalangeal joint which corresponds to the human upper knuckle, such as that on the ball of the foot.
What are the parts of a horses leg?
Each hind limb of the horse runs from the pelvis to the navicular bone. After the pelvis come the femur (thigh), patella, stifle joint, tibia, fibula, tarsal (hock) bone and joint, large metatarsal (cannon) and small metatarsal (splint) bones.
What is the purpose of a fetlock?
noun [Associated with foot or fetter and lock.] An instrument fixed on the leg of a horse when put to pasture, for the purpose of preventing him from running off.
What happens when a horse breaks a fetlock?
“They’re very strong, to carry their weight, yet they’re light, for them to be able to go fast. So, unfortunately, sometimes, when they break, they just shatter.” When that happens, it is not possible to repair the bone, and not just because it is now in lots of little pieces that won’t heal together.
What is the purpose of the fetlock on a horse?
An instrument fixed on the leg of a horse when put to pasture, for the purpose of preventing him from running off. Also fetterlock .
What causes lameness in the fetlock joint in horses?
Disorders of the hip joint are relatively rare causes of lameness in horses. Most cases are traumatic in origin, secondary to falls, although septic disease and development disorders do occur. Fetlock Joint – The fetlock joint occurs between the cannon bone, the proximal phalanx and sesamoid bones in the front legs.
What is the structure of the fetlock joint?
This piece aims to cover the anatomy, structure and function of one of the hardest working joints in the limb – the fetlock. The fetlock joint consists of the distal end of the third metacarpal (cannon bone) the proximal end of the first phalanx (long pastern) and the two proximal sesamoid bones.
Is the fetlock part of the phalanx?
The fetlock joint consists of the distal end of the third metacarpal (cannon bone) the proximal end of the first phalanx (long pastern) and the two proximal sesamoid bones. (Figure 1) It is classified as a synovial ginglymus joint.
Which is the most complex joint in a horse’s leg?
The tarsus is the corresponding joint on the hind leg, commonly called the “hock”. The horse’s knee is one of the most complex regions in the limb because there are several small bones and ligaments all combining to form the three main joints; the radiocarpal, intercarpal and carpometacarpal joints.